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tics and the guidance of public affairs. They | all this in defence of the sacred right of rebeltravel and read, love field sports, racing, shoot- lion on the part of "his State." He is not ing, hunting, and fishing, are bold horsemen, now, nor has he been for years, a slave-owner; and good shots. But, after all, their state is all his family and familiar associations connect a modern Sparta-an aristocracy resting on a him with the North. There are no naval stahelotry, and with nothing else to rest upon. tions on the Southern coasts, except one at Although they profess (and I believe, indeed, Pensacola, and he knows almost no one in the sincerely) to hold opinions in opposition to the South. He has no fortune whatever, his fleet opening of the slave trade, it is nevertheless consists of two small river or coasting steamers, true that the clause in the Constitution of the without guns, and as he said, in talking over Confederate States which prohibited the im- the resources of the South, "My bones will be portation of negroes, was especially and ener- bleached many a long year before the Confedgetically resisted by them, because, as they say, erate States can hope to have a navy." "State it seemed to be an admission that slavery was Rights!" To us the question is simply inexin itself an evil and a wrong. Their whole | plicable or absurd. And yet thousands of Amersystem rests on slavery, and as such they de- icans sacrifice all for it. The river at Savannah fend it. They entertain very exaggerated ideas is broad as the Thames at Gravesend, and reof the military strength of their little commu- sembles that stream very much in the color of its nity, although one may do full justice to its waters and the level nature of its shores. Ricemilitary spirit. Out of their whole population fields bound it on either side, as far down as the they cannot reckon more than 60,000 adult men influence of the fresh water extends, and the by any arithmetic, and as there are nearly 30,000 eye wanders over a flat expanse of inud and plantations, which must be, according to law, water, and green osiers and rushes, till its superintended by white men, a considerable search is arrested on the horizon by the unfailnumber of these adults cannot be spared from ing line of forest. In the fields here and there the state for service in the open field. The are the white-washed square wooden huts in planters boast that they can raise their corps which the slaves dwell, looking very like the without any inconvenience by the labor of their beginnings of the camp in the Crimea. At negroes, and they seem confident that the one point a small fort, covering a creek by negroes will work without superintendence. which gun-boats could get up behind SaBut the experiment is rather dangerous, and it vannah, displayed its "garrison on the walls, will only be tried in the last extremity. and lowered its flag to salute the small blue ensign at the fore which proclaimed the presence of the Commodore of the Naval Forces of Georgia on board our steamer. The guns on the parapet were mostly field-pieces mounted on frameworks of wood instead of regular carriages. There is no mistake about the spirit of these people. They seize upon every spot of vantage ground and prepare it for defence. There were very few ships in the river; the yacht Camilla, better known as the America, the property of Captain Deasy, and several others of those few sailing under British colors, for most of the cotton ships are gone.

SAVANNAH, Ga., May 1.

It is said that "fools build houses for wise men to live in." Be that true or not, it is certain that "Uncle Sam" has built strong places for his enemies to occupy. To-day I visited Fort Pulaski, which defends the mouth of the Savannah River and the approaches to the city. It was left to take care of itself, and the Georgians quietly stepped into it, and have been busied in completing its defences, so that it is now capable of stopping a fleet very effectually. Pulaski was a Pole who fell in the defence of Savannah against the British, and whose memory is perpetuated in the name of the fort, which is now under the Confederate flag, and garrisoned by bitter foes of the United States.

Among our party were Commodore Tatnall, whose name will be familiar to English ears in connection with the attack on the Peiho Forts, where the gallant American showed the world that "blood was thicker than water;" Brigadier-General Lawton, in command of the forces of Georgia, and a number of naval and military officers, of whom many had belonged to the United States regular service. It was strange to look at such a man as the Commodore, who for forty-nine long years had served under the Stars and Stripes, quietly preparing to meet his old comrades and friends, if needs be, in the battle-field-his allegiance to the country and to the flag renounced, his long service flung away, his old ties and connections severed-and

After steaming down the river about twelve miles, the sea opened out to the sight, and on a long, inarsby, narrow island near the bar, which was marked by the yellowish surf, Fort Pulaski threw out the Confederate flag to the air of the Georgian 1st of May. The water was too shallow to permit the steamer to go up to the jetty, and the party landed at the wharf in boats. A guard was on duty at the landingtall, stout young fellows, in various uniforms, or in rude mufti, in which the Garibaldian red shirt and felt slouched hats predominated. They were armed with smooth-bore muskets (date 1851), quite new, and their bayonets, barrels, and locks were bright and clean. The officer on duty was dressed in the blue frockcoat dear to the British linesman in days gone by, with brass buttons, emblazoned with the arms of the State, a red silk sash, and glazed kepi, and straw-colored gauntlets.

Several wooden huts, with flower gardens in

gia. An excellent lunch was spread in the casemated bomb-proof, which served as the Colonel's quarter, and before sunset the party were steaming towards Savannah through a tideway full of leaping sturgeon and porpoises, leaving the garrison intent on the approach of a large ship, which had her sails aback off the bar and hoisted the Stars and Stripes, but which turned out to be nothing more formidable than a Liverpool cotton ship.

front, were occupied by the officers of the gar- | listed for only three years by the State of Georrison; others were used as hospitals, and were full of men suffering from measles of a mild type. A few minutes' walk led us to the fort, which is an irregular pentagon, with the base line or curtain face inlands, and the other faces casemated and bearing on the approaches. The curtain, which is simply crenellated, is covered by a Redan surrounded by a deep ditch, inside the parapet of which are granite platforms ready for the reception of guns. The parapet is thick, and the scarp and counterscarp are faced with solid masonry. A drawbridge affords access to the interior of the Redan, whence the gate of the fort is approached across a deep and broad moat, which is crossed by another drawbridge.

It will take some hard blows before Georgia is driven to let go her grip of Fort Pulaski. The channel is very narrow and passes close to the guns of the fort. The means of completing the armament have been furnished by the stores of Norfolk Navy Yard, where between 700 and 800 guns have fallen into the hands of the Confederates; and, if there are no columbiads among them, the Merrimac and other ships, which have been raised, as we hear, with guns uninjured, will yield up their Dahlgrens to turn their muzzles against their old masters.

As the Commodore entered the Redan, the guns of the fort broke out into a long salute, and the band at the gate struck up almost as lively a welcome. Inside the parade presented a scene of life and animation very unlike the silence of the city we had left. Men were busy clearing out the casemates, rolling away stores and casks of ammunition and provisions, others May 2.-May day was so well kept yesterwere at work at the gin and shears, others day that the exhausted editors cannot "bring building sand-bag traverses to guard the maga-out" their papers, and consequently there is no zine doors, as though expecting an immediate attack. Many officers were strolling under the shade of the open gallery at the side of the curtain which contained their quarters in the lofty bomb-proof casemates.

Some of them had seen service in Mexican or border warfare; some had travelled over Italian and Crimean battle-fields; others were West Point graduates of the regular army; | others young planters, clerks, or civilians who had rushed with ardor into the first Georgian Regiment. The garrison of the fort is 650 men, and fully that number were in and about the work, their tents being pitched inside the Redan or on the terreplein of the parapets. The walls are exceedingly solid and well built of hard gray brick, strong as iron, upwards of six feet in thickness, the casemates and bombproofs being lofty, airy, and capacious as any I have ever seen, though there is not quite depth enough between the walls at the salient and the gun-carriages. The work is intended for 128 guns, of which about one-fourth are mounted on the casemates. They are long 32's with a few 42's and columbiads. The armaments will be exceedingly heavy when all the guns are mounted, and they are fast getting the 10-inch columbiads into position en barbette. Every thing which could be required, except mortars, was in abundance-the platforms and gun-carriages are solid and well made, the embrasures of the casemates are admirably constructed, and the ventilation of the bomb-proof carefully provided for. There are three furnaces for heating red-hot shot.

news; but there is, nevertheless, much to be said concerning "Our President's" Message, and there is a suddenness of admiration for pacific tendencies which can with difficulty be accounted for, unless the news from the North these last few days has something to do with it. Not a word now about an instant march on Washington! no more threats to seize on Faneuil Hall!

The Georgians are by no means so keen as the Carolinians on their border-nay, they are not so belligerent to-day as they were a week ago. Mr. Jefferson Davis's Message is praised for its "moderation," and for other qualities which were by no means in such favor while the Sumter fever was at its height. Men look grave, and talk about the interference of England and France, which "cannot allow this thing to go on." But the change which has come over them is unmistakable, and the BEST MEN BEGIN TO LOOK GRAVE. As for me, I must prepare to open my lines of retreat-my communications are in danger.

Doc. 218.

-London Times.

N. Y. SEVENTH REGIMENT PAPERS.
HEAD-QUARTERS DEPARTMENT,
WASHINGTON, MAY 26th, 1861.

COLONEL LEFFERTS,

Commanding N. Y. Seventh Regiment: Sir Your regiment has accomplished all that was intended by it in crossing over to Arlington to take possession of the heights, and Nor is discipline neglected, and the officers have labored on the intrenchments manfully, with whom I went round the works were as also. The security of this city renders it imsharp in tone and manner to their men as Vol-perative you should resume your encampment unteers well could be, though the latter are en- on this side; and you will this afternoon march

over accordingly, and hold your regiment here with his regiment to the city of New York, ready to turn out when called upon.

Very respectfully,

J. H. K. MANSFIELD, Brig.-Gen., and Commanding.

WASHINGTON, D. C., April 29, 1861, HEAD-QUARTERS, COMMANDERS OF COMPANIES, 8TH REGIMENT, MASSACHUSETTS VOL. MILITIA.

TO COL. LEFFERTS, officers, and members, New York Seventh Regiment:

At a meeting of this regiment, held this morning, the following preamble and resolutions were unanimously adopted:

Whereas, The trials and fortunes of war have brought us into close intimacy and companionship with the New York Seventh Regiment, (National Guard,) therefore

Resolved, That we feel it a duty, owing not only to them, but to our own hearts, to express so far as it may be in our power, our grateful obligations to them for their many favors.

Resolved, That we deeply appreciate the hearty welcome extended to us on landing at Annapolis, and their kind attention after the fatigues of transportation, and hazardous though successful service.

Resolved, That they have done all in their power to lessen the just feelings of dissatisfaction which have prevailed throughout the regiment, by sharing with us their rations and their little conveniences, and by ever being the first to offer

assistance.

Resolved, That especially are our thanks due to the noble 7th for the generous entertainment, so spontaneous, so bounteous, so heartily appreciative of our condition, furnished on the afternoon of Saturday, April 27th, that no words can do it justice, or do justice to our gratitude.

Resolved, That in one other and very especial particular does their generosity and benevolence touch our hearts; we refer to the voluntary subscription raised among them, for the benefit of one of our officers accidentally wounded.

Resolved, That the term so often used in connection with the volunteer militia, "holiday soldiery," has, in all the conduct of the regiment to which we are so much indebted, been triumphantly refuted; and that it will hereafter be worthy of the highest fame-fame that will now attach to the name of the "generous, gallant, glorious Seventh."

Resolved, That wherever the Seventh may go we would go; where they lodge we would lodge; if ever their colors go down before the hosts of the enemy, the Eighth of Massachusetts would be first to avenge their fall with the heart's blood of every man.

KNOTT V. MARTIN, Chairman.
GEO. T. NEWHALL, Secretary.

WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE,
WASHINGTON, May 30, 1861.

Special Order No. 146.

The commanding officer of the Seventh Regiment of New York Volunteers, will proceed

where it will be mustered out of the service of the United States, by Lieut. M. Cogswell, Eighth Regiment.

It is the desire of the War Department, in relinquishing the services of this gallant regiment, to make known the satisfaction that is felt at the prompt and patriotic manner in which it responded to the call for men to defend the capital when it was believed to be in peril, and to acknowledge the important service which it rendered by appearing here in an hour of dark and trying necessity. The time for which it had engaged has now expired. The service which it was expected to perform has been handsomely accomplished, and its members may return to their native city with the assurance that its services are gratefully appreciated by all good and loyal citizens, whilst the Government is equally confident that when the country again calls upon them, the appeal will not be made in vain to the young men of New By order,

York.

L. THOMAS, Adjutant-General. COL. LEFFERTS, Commanding Seventh Regiment, Camp Cameron.

HEAD-QUARTERS, SEVENTH REGIMENT, N. Y. S. M., CAMP CAMERON, May 30, 1861. GENERAL ORDER No. 21.-Special Order No. 146, Head-quarters United States Army, is hereby promulgated, and in compliance therewith this Regiment will parade fully uniformed, in overcoats, armed and equipped for the rolled and strapped upon the knapsack. Each march, at 3 o'clock P. M., 31st inst.-blankets soldier must carry his canteen and haversack. sacks. The Commissary will provide two days' Pistols, unloaded, must be packed in the knaprations for each man. By order of

Col. MARSHALL LEFFERTS,

J. H. LIEBENAR, Adjutant.

UNION DEFENCE COMMITTEE OF THE CITIZENS OF NEW YORK, OFFICE, NO. 30 PINE STREET. NEW YORK, May 31, 1861.

In Executive Committee,

Resolved, That this committee desire to express their cordial recognition of the efficient service rendered to the cause of the country at a critical emergency of its public affairs by the Seventh Regiment of the New York State Militia, commanded by Col. Marshall Lefferts, and sharing so fully in the general feeling of gratification which pervades this community at learning that the commanding general of the U. S. Army, under the sanction of the President of the United States, has acknowledged, in special general orders, "the important service rendered by that regiment in an hour of dark and trying necessity; "the committee desire to unite their congratulations with those of their fellow-citizens, in extending a welcome hand to cheer the return of a body of soldiers who conferred such high honor on the city of New York.

Resolved, That this committee will take

pleasure in attending the reception to be given | I communicate directly to the department, the

to the Seventh Regiment, on its arrival in this city to-morrow.

Resolved, That these proceedings be published, and a copy furnished to Col. Lefferts. Extract from the minutes.

J. J. ASTOR, JR., Chairman pro tem.
Executive Committee.

PROSPER M. WETMORE,

Secretary Executive Committee.

Doc. 219.

FIRST MAINE REGIMENT. THE regiment numbers seven hundred and eighty men, and is officered as follows: FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.-Colonel, Nathaniel J. Jackson; Lieutenant-Colonel, Albion Witham; Major, Geo. G. Bailey; Adjutant, J. L. Fillibrown; Quartermaster, Wm. S. Dodge; Surgeon, Dr. W. R. Richardson; Chaplain, Rev. Geo. Knox; Assistant Surgeon, A. A. C. Williams; Quartermaster's Sergeant, S. H. Manning; Sergeant-Major, Foster Randall; Drum Major, David Jones; Fife Major, Cyrus Free

inan.

report of a serious cannonade made by this vessel, supported by the Anacosta and Resolute steamers, upon the batteries of Acquia Creek this morning. After an incessant discharge kept up for two hours by both our 32-pounders, and the expenditure of all the ammunition suitable for distant firing, and silencing completely the three batteries at the railroad terminus, the firing from shore having been rapidly kept up by them until so silenced, and having been recommenced from the new batteries on the heights back, which reached us in volleys, dropped the shot on board and about us like hail for nearly an hour, fortunately wounding but one man, I hauled the vessel off, as the

heights proved wholly above the reach of our elevation. Judging from the explosion of our which were thrown by the Anacosta, it is hard10-second shells in the sand batteries, two of ly possible the enemy can have escaped considerable loss. Several other of the Anacosta's shells dropped in the vicinity of the battery. I cannot speak in too high terms of the officers and men, whose coolness and activity under great exposure are beyond praise. As the Co. A, Portland Light Infantry-Captain, G. civil life, none but myself being of the regular former are all acting, having volunteered from W. Tukay; First Lieutenant, Geo. H. Chadwell; Navy, I beg leave to ask for them a favorable Second Lieutenant, Chas. L. McAllister. Co. B. Portland Mechanic Blues-Captain, Charles thirty-two pounder in uso is of the old pattern, consideration by the Government. The long Walker; First Lieutenant, Charles G. Pennell; cast in 1819, and cannot be excelled in precisSecond Lieutenant, James M. Black. Co. C, ion. Both of the guns are on carriages of the Portland Light Guard-Captain, M. R. Fessenden; First Lieutenant, Wm. B. Jordan; Sec-swered admirably, working with such ease, new construction devised by myself, and anond Lieutenant, Benj. M. Redlon. Co. D, Port- that the crews came out of the action wholly land Rifle Corps-Captain, Charles H. Meserve; unfatigued. To the extreme sweep of 140 deFirst Lieutenant, Wm. A. Pierce; Second Lieutenant, Geo. H. Bailey. Co. E, Portland Rifle grees which these carriages have, together with Guard-Captain, Wm. M. Shaw; First Lieuten- the vessel to constantly change position, yet their case and rapidity of movement, enabling ant, A. H. Estes; Second Lieutenant, John M. keep up accurate fire, which impaired the eneMarston. Co. F, Lewiston Light Infantry-my's range and direction, he firing always with Captain, J. T. Stevens; First Lieutenant, Wm. rifled cannon, is to be materially attributed our D. Knowlton; Second Lieutenant, E. M. Shaw. escape without loss of life or damage to the Co. G, Norway Light Infantry-Captain, Geo. vessel or machinery. The men say they are as L. Beal; First Lieutenant, Henry Rust, Jr.; fresh from fatigue, as when they entered action. Second Lieutenant, Jonathan Blake. Co. II, We cannonaded for an hour before the same Auburn Artillery-Captain, Chas. S. Emerson; batteries the day before yesterday; but, the First Lieutenant, J. F. C. Folsom: Second tide being out, neither party reached with any Lieutenant, Phineas W. Udell. Co. I, New Rifle considerable certainty. I doubt if it is possible Guard, Portland-Captain, William Quimby; to reduce the batteries now established on the First Lieutenant, N. T. Furbish; Second Lieu- heights, from ships, nor is it at all important, tenant, Hebron Mayhew. Co. K, Lewiston considering they are remote from the ship Guard-Captain, Silas B. Osgood; First Lieu- channel of the river, and command only the tenant Elijah D. Johnston; Second Lieutenant, railroad terminus. Yesterday I landed in perGeorge H. Neve. son, with Acting Master Budd, and Master's Mate Lee, and a small party of seamen, and made a most minute exploration, extending over the whole of Matthias Point. I am, therefore, able to speak with ocular certainty, and to say that not a sign of a movement, the cutting of a sapling, driving a stake, or carting a shovel-full of earth towards the erection of a battery exists. The jungle is very thick, but we penetrated a belt of it three hundred yards wide from the shore and three miles in length.

-N. Y. Herald, June 3.

Doc. 220.

FIGIIT AT ACQUIA CREEK. THE following is the official report of the action at Acquia Creek :

}

U. S. STEAMER THOS. FREEPORN,
OFF ACQUIA CREEK, Potomac River, May 31.
My immediate commanding officer, Flag Offi-
cer Stringham, not being present to receive it,

Assuring ourselves of the facts as stated in this
report, I have especially to ask for the steamers
Reliance and Resolute of this flotilla, each a
small rifled cannon in addition to the smooth-
bored gun with which they are provided. For
the want of a rifled gun in them, I was obliged
to forbid their coming closely under a fire to
which they could not reply with even an ap-
proximate effect. Lieutenant commanding,
N. Collins, of the Anacosta, will make his own
report.

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient
servant,
J. H. WARD.
Commander U. S. Navy commanding Flotilla.
To the Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy,
Washington, D. C.
-National Intelligencer, June 3.

Doc. 221.

SKIRMISH AT FAIRFAX COURT-HOUSE. The following is the official report of General McDowell to General Scott, of the fight at Fairfax Court-House. Lieutenant Tompkins, who commanded the company, was severely wounded, so much so that he was unable to make his report :

HEAD-QUARTERS, DEPARTMENT EASTERN VIRGINIA, ARLINGTON, June 1, 1861. Colonel E. D. TOWNSEND, Assistant AdjutantGeneral,

Five prisoners were captured by our troops, their names being as follows:-John W. Ryan, private of the Old Guard; H. F. Lynn, Prince William Cavalry; John A. Dunnington, Prince William Cavalry; F. W. Worders, Prince William Cavalry; W. F. Washington, son of the late Col. Washington, of the United States Army. Having no good means of keeping prisoners here, they are sent to head-quarters for further disposition.

As soon as Lieut. Tompkins recovers, a less
hurried report than this will be submitted by
Col. Hunter commanding the brigade.
IRWIN MCDOWELL,
Brigadier-General Commanding.

A file of soldiers who captured the prisoners brought them to Gen. Mansfield's quarters, who immediately remanded four of them to the Navy Yard, to be placed with those heretofore captured. Young Washington was still in custody of Gen. Mansfield. I have not heard what disposition is to be made of him. He is a finelooking fellow, well dressed, and exceedingly intelligent. The other four are not very prepossessing in their appearance. One of them informed me that there were only about three hundred soldiers at Fairfax-three companies of cavalry, and one of infantry.

-National Intelligencer, June 8.

Head-quarters of the Army, Washington:LIEUT. TOMPKINS' REPORT. SIR: The following facts have just been re- The following is the report of Lieutenant ported to me by the Orderly Sergeant of Com-Tompkins to Colonel Hunter, his superior offipany B, of the Second cavalry, commanded by cer: Lieutenant Tompkins, the commanding officer being too unwell to report in person.

It appears that a company of the Second cavalry, commanded by Lieutenant Tompkins, aggregate number seventy-five, left their camp at half-past ten o'clock last night on a scouting expedition. They reached Fairfax Court-House about three in the morning, where they found several hundred men stationed-Captain Ewell, late of the United States Dragoons, said to be in command. A skirmish, then took place, in which a number of the enemy were killed, how many the Sergeant does not know. Many bodies were seen on the ground, and several were taken into the Court-House, and seen there by one of our cavalry, who was a prisoner in the Court-House for a short time, and afterwards made his escape.

The following is the report by the Sergeant

of our loss:

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1

"Sir: I have the honor to report that, pursuant to verbal instructions from the colonel, commanding, I left on the evening of the 31st, in command of Co. B Cavalry, to reconnoitre the vicinity of Fairfax Court-House. Approaching the town, the enemy's picket was surprised and captured. Several documents were found upon them, which I enclose. On entering the town of Fairfax, my command was fired upon by rebel troops from windows and housetops. I charged and drove the mounted rifles from the town. Immediately two or three companies came to their relief and fired upon us, which I returned. Perceiving I was outnumbered, I deemed it advisable to retreat, which I did in good order, with five prisoners fully armed and equipped, and two horses.

"My loss is three men missing, three slightly wounded, and twelve horses lost. The loss of the rebels is from twenty to twenty-five in killed and wounded. From observations I should judge that the rebels at that point numbered fully 1,500 men. Captains Carey, Fearing, and 1 Adjutant Frank of the New York 5th regiment 1 accompanied me, and I regret to state that 1 Captain Carey was wounded in the foot. Lieut. 1 Gordon of the 2d Dragoons rendered valuable services. The prisoners, horses, and equip

1 ments have been sent to General Mansfield.

"Yours respectfully,

Total casualties

"CHAS. H. TOMPKINS."

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